Page 30 of Stars Like Confetti

“Mmhmm…” I nodded, blushing at the memory of that week I spent with them. In the distance, the door to the dining hall opened, capturing my attention. I hadn’t realized Theo was sitting on the steps watching me. Kaylee joined them, sitting behind Theo with her legs to either side of them. “I skipped camp because Theo’s parents were out of town. There were so many firsts that week…”

I told Tyler everything. From the way my parents raised me, to meeting Theo and figuring out I wasn’t the perfect, obedient God-fearing daughter they always wanted. When I got to the part about being sent to the conversion camp, Jordan emerged from the dining hall and handed Theo a drink. I swore they locked eyes with me when they brought it to their lips.

Tyler listened intently, with only the occasional rustling of the marshmallow bag breaking the conversation. I picked apart my bar of chocolate, feeding small bites into my mouth and only wishing Theo was there to do it for me like they had that morning.

“Woah…” Tyler said once I finished. “That’s a lot.”

A laugh bubbled out of me. “That’s one way to put it.”

“Wait.” Tyler set his snack aside, which I guess meant he was getting serious. “You said you didn’t know that Theo owns Playhouse.”

“That’s right. I didn’t find out until the day we got here.”

“So you didn’t come here for Theo.” I shook my head. “How did you know they were… them?”

“You ever seen the tattoo on Theo’s ribcage?” Tyler nodded and after finishing off my chocolate, I raised my shirt enough to expose my own.

Tyler snickered but before he could ask for the dirty details, I continued. “I had an accident like… thirty seconds after I got here. Theo helped me clean up and that’s when they knew. Neither of us recognized each other at first.”

“Wow, that’s like… something out of a romance novel.”

I shrugged. “Romance novels have a happy ending.”

“And you don’t deserve one?”

My heart kicked up its pace as Theo accepted a kiss Kaylee planted on their cheek, then stood up and headed our way. “There’s no way of knowing if they⁠—”

“I’m going to stop you right there. This whole damn camp knows that Theo wants you. If it’s a case of who’s moving where⁠—”

“It’s not. I’d follow them anywhere.” Theo was definitely beelining for me, and I didn’t take my eyes off them as they approached, taking another sip from their drink. I wondered what was in it. What their drink of choice was and if I’d be pouring them one after a long day… “I come with a lot of baggage.”

“I think they’re strong enough to carry it. Have you seen those arms?” I did my best attempt to glare at him for checking out my Da, but even I couldn’t be angry. Theo was hot, and everyone knew it. Tyler snickered and collected his snacks. “And it looks like you two have a talk to have.”

Theo tried to stop Tyler from scurrying off by simply raising their hand. “I’m not here to chase you away.”

“It’s okay. I’m going to steal some of Benji’s marshmallows.”

“Are we okay?” I asked Tyler.

“Yeah, of course we are.” A dimple popped in his left cheek when he smiled. “Just… don’t go getting stung by anymore bees. That was scary as—” He cut his eyes to Theo. “Fudgesicles.”

“Good save,” they praised.

Tyler hustled off in search of more sweet treats, and Theo gestured to the empty spot he left behind. “Mind if I join you?”

“I was hoping you would.”

Theo wasn’t even entirely sitting down before I climbed into their lap, sitting sideways and stretching my legs out in front of me. Theo’s arms fell around my waist, and mine around their neck. “Comfy?” they snickered.

“Mhm…” Nuzzling into their neck, I inhaled deeply. They smelled like soap and sunscreen, their skin still warm from spending the last few days outside. Damp sea salt-tinged waves tickled my nose. Despite growing up landlocked, Theo always exuded this energy that they belonged in the sun. The rosy, surfer-style waves that I ran my hands through, the smattering of freckles across their cheeks, and the golden hue of their skin screamed that they spent their days surfing or suntanning rather than curling up with a book at the end of a long day.

Theo turned their head, bringing our mouths together. I hummed and dropped my jaw, letting their tongue slip in to tangle with mine. Their hand tightened on my hip, my fingers carding through their hair. Masked beneath the coconut of their lip balm was something different, fruity and warm and addictive.

I broke off the kiss, gasping for air. “What were you drinking?”

“Jordan calls it a ménage à trois,” they laughed. “Dr. Pepper and Captain Morgan.” At my furrowed brows, they continued. “You, a doctor, and a captain—ménage à trois.”

I shook my head to clear it, deciding to address the ridiculousness of the cocktail’s name later. There were more pressing matters to attend to. “I want you to drink that, and only that, from now on.”